Space Log: Wipeout grounds shuttle astronaut

Shuttle astronaut Timothy Kopra should have trained on a stationary bike.

If you’re trying to stay in shape before a space flight, use a stationary bike.

That’s one of the likely lessons learned by astronaut Timothy Kopra, who was to have been the lead space walker aboard the next space shuttle fight currently scheduled for launch around Feb. 24. Kopra was injured in a bicycle accident on Jan. 15. NASA announced Wednesday (Jan. 19) that Kopra will be bumped from the flight, designated STS-133, due to unspecified injuries resulting from the bike crash.

Given the fact that the last flight of the Shuttle Discovery has been delayed several times since November due to a leaking external fuel tank, it’s still possible that a recovered Kopra could fly if the mission is again delayed. For now, Kopra will be replaced by shuttle veteran Steve Bowen, who has performed five space walks. Bowen will have to hustle to master the space walks planned on the next trip to the International Space Station, including the installation of a multipurpose module designed to store large equipment and spare parts.

Kopra must be kicking himself, especially since the shuttle program is winding down, and flight assignments will be as scarce as hens’ teeth. NASA has recently seen a spate of astronaut retirements, undoubtedly prompted by the end of the shuttle program and a looming lack of flight assignments.

As one shuttle commander, George Zamka, told me, he is just looking for another way to get back into space. The line just got a little longer.

But training on a stationary bike does not provide quite the same level of training and physical tuning as a normal bike - an important distinction for athletes such as the astronauts. This is somewhat similar to the difference between running on a treadmill and running on a track or street.

Dave is certainly correct, of course, the difference depends a lot on how hard one rides the bike. Pedaling exercise is good for a few muscles, but the serious effort of keeping the bike under the rider uses a whole lot more muscle groups. At least, for me it does.

He is lucky that he did not suffer more permanent and debilitating injuries, while bicycle riding as injuries go; in the DFW area alone there have been many cyclists’ troubles, including pedestrian/jogger into bicyclist and also into each other.
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20101013-Pedestrian-cyclist-injured-in-2-5581.ece
There are many other modern gyms with great alternatives and better controlled environments, so it’s somewhat careless to expose ourselves to danger if you are schedule for such a privilege opportunity.